Chapter 6 [That night—Orchard Cove

After checking in at their new hotel and getting changed into their formals, they made their way over to her old high school. As they progressed, they took in the still-familiar backdrop of the village. Even though it had been twenty years for her (and twenty-five years for him), they found that little had changed in the community hugging the coastline. While houses and some chain stores had sprung up at the edges, the same businesses still dominated the downtown strip.

Seeing the corner store from so long before, he assessed sarcastically, "Nice sense of creativity here, Cuddy. Now I know where you learned those overly anal management skills of yours."

She snorted, feeling glad that he managed to make a gibe and sound halfway like himself. "Yok it up, House. Actually these folks can still run circles around the larger outfits when it comes to customer service."

He shrugged. Then seeing a sign labeled "Sandoval Shoes," his eyes locked on it. Nah! It can't be! "Yeah, that one could run all right."

"Which one? House, what is it?" she insisted. "You've got that look."

"What look?" he queried

"The look when you've done something and don't want me to know about it," she replied.

"Hey, I'm just a visitor like you are. This is your town, Cuddy. Come on; we're going to be late for your whipping session," he commented sharply.

She didn't push the point. However, she had the feeling that somehow House's past visit there could bite them both in the ass. She just hoped that it wouldn't be at the reunion.

[Ruffin High School—6:52 PM

Cuddy parked the car as close to the school's front as she could. She leaned back in her seat. You can do this. We've all grown up since then!

"You know, if we sit here for two months, it'll be over and spring thaw too. Not to mention I wouldn't have to deal with the Clinic…." he started.

"I wouldn't want you to slip and fall on that delicate ass of yours, House. As for the Clinic hours, I'm sure the hospital would love to have volunteers," she retorted.

"Ooh…the nasty look. Careful, Cuddy, they're hicks not politicians. Then again, watch the big guns, you're liable to make a big mess."

She had to smirk. How does he do it? Even when he's being an ass, he can still make me feel better? She glanced at him before answering, "If anyone messes with or embarrasses me, they'll find out, won't they?"

He rolled his eyes. "Let's get this over with." He really wanted to be anywhere other than the phony-baloney convention. After getting out of the car, he waited for her to do the same.

"You said it," she agreed as they walked up the sidewalk toward the front door. It seemed strange that despite being early and seeing other cars in the lot that they were the only ones walking in. "Where is everyone?"

"Careful, Cuddy, they might be setting a trap," he cracked.

"Knowing this place, I don't doubt it," she muttered more to herself than to him as they entered the building. Spying two people—a blonde of about her age and an elderly man—sitting at a table by the cafeteria, she led him over to it. "Hi! I take it this is the check in desk?"

The blonde nodded. "Lisa Cuddy, right? Hi, I'm Patty DeAnda. We were in the same home room for three years."

"Right," Cuddy agreed, recalling her picture from the yearbook. "And the science fair as I recall too."

"You were always the best with names, Lisa," Patty complimented.

"Considering she spent half of the trip here mem…." House started before a sharp elbow in his ribs stopped him short.

"Sorry, Patty. Now as you were saying?" Cuddy asked while shooting him the Glare.

"Wait a minute. Did he go to U of M too? I seem to remember his face for some reason," Patty wondered while looking House over.

"We both did," Cuddy agreed. "Greg House, Patty DeAnda. Patty, Greg House."

"I was in med school there," he agreed while managing a half-hearted smile and handshake.

"Okay," Patty replied with a smile. "Well, we should have a few more folks coming in. Here are your badges. You'll be at Table 8. Have fun and great to see you both!"

"Thanks, Patty. Nice talking to you too," Cuddy concurred before she and House walked away. Once off to the side, she hissed, "What were you doing?"

He shrugged, already zoning out the lecture he knew was coming.

"House, please don't embarrass me," she requested, anticipating his thinking.

He straightened up in surprise. "You actually do care what they think?"

"Some of us do, House. Surprise! You might try it sometime. I know you like to zing people. Just keep a lid on it for tonight, all right?" he informed him dryly.

"Fine, Mistress," he grumbled while looking around for the pest from so long ago.

"House, this way." She rubbed his arm. "What is with you?"

"Nothing," he responded gruffly before opening the door.

She shook her head while muttering a silent prayer to herself. Please let everything go all right tonight! As they entered the room, she saw that it was only perhaps a third of the way full and that most of the places were empty save for their place settings. About ten people were on the dance floor. Several others had congregated around the bar. "What the?"

"Threw a party and nobody came? Whoa! Who would of thought?" he cracked low.

She glared at him to discourage other such cracks as they made their way over to Table 8 where they were assigned. To her dismay, they were by themselves at the table. "I don't believe this!"

"Man, they must've seen you coming," he supposed sarcastically.

"House, you are not helping," she growled while trying to recognize some of the others from around the room.

"Want a ginger ale?" he asked. Getting a strange look from her, he clarified, "Hey, you want good behavior, I'll keep it low test. I'll be expecting an incentive later."

She grinned at him. "Fine. Thanks."

He limped over to the bar, weaving through some of the people heading back to their seats. Finding a twenty-something college student in a white shirt and black tie behind the counter, he requested, "Two ginger ales." He felt the hairs rising on the back of his neck for some reason. A glance to his right found three other men—two facing him and laughing over some stupid joke. The third one had his back to him.

"Get a load of Mr. Ginger Ale over here!" the blonde cracked.

Hearing the man's voice, House almost froze. Still he managed to keep a straight face. "I'm still a growing boy."

"Well, I'll be! Hey, Mike, look who's here!" Blondie reported.

The third man turned to reveal the face from House's nightmare. He still stood over six feet tall with large shoulders. Despite a few wisps of frost running through his red hair, he would still pound the crap out of anything in his path. "The hero. I thought that might be you. Wonder if Cuddle Bear's anywhere around here? I'd have something for her too."

"Give it a rest," House advised tersely with a sarcastic glance.

"What was that, Hero Boy?" Sandoval challenged.

He motioned to the bartender. "Give me my drinks al….."

Before House could finish his request, the bully charged and tackled him into the closest table. Then he picked the former up and pinned him against the wall. "I'm going to shut that mouth."

"House, what's going on?" Cuddy demanded, not believing he'd managed to stir up the hornets' nest so quickly. Seeing the man holding her date by the throat, she stopped cold; her eyes going wide.

"I knew she was around here some place! Hey, Cuddle Bear, here to save your hero?" Sandoval taunted.

"Hero?" Cuddy asked in confusion.

"She's….Cuddle Bear?" House whispered hoarsely.

"He let you get away that night. Too bad because we would've liked to finish it!" Blondie snapped.

"Nobody's finishing anything!" the bartender growled while pounding a nightstick on the counter. "I just called the police. Now let him go!"

"Big words for you, Kid," the bully growled.

As luck would have it, sirens were heard right outside. Less than a minute later, three armed police officers charged in.

"Terrific," Cuddy groused while rubbing her head. If she thought the reunion was the worst of it, it was about to get a lot worse……